Space Brief 26 Oct 2025
Today's brief covers a new Space Force contract for advanced tracking systems, innovative debris removal strategies, pivotal new satellite launches, and significant updates in air quality tracking from orbit.
Launch Date
January 9, 2012
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC9
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4B
NORAD ID
38046
International Designator
2012-001A
Epoch
Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:22:12 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
97.13°
Right Ascension
157.14°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
256.33°
Period
87.51 min
Mean Motion
16.46 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
ZIYUAN 3-1 (ZY 3-1)
Alternative Name
Zi Yuan 3-01
Type
Status
Owner
GCDX/ZZWYZ
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 38046U 12001A 26081.01541948 .12161018 24301-5 28269-3 0 9999
2 38046 97.1345 157.1435 0011085 256.3350 103.6719 16.45573094790699
Source: Celestrak
Length
2
Diameter
2
Span
10
Dry Mass
2600
Launch Mass
2650
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
5.315
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
ZY-3 01
Purpose
Earth Observation
Mission
Earth Observation
Manufacturer
CAST
Life Expectancy
5 years
Bus
ZY
Configuration
Phoenix-Eye-2 bus
Motor
AOCS 20N
Equipment
3 panchromatic cameras, 1 multispectral imager.
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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